[The Nicks Fix]

Say You Will FAN REVIEWS

2/23/04 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, Australia


Newest reviews posted at the top.


Peter Morris
I attended the show in Melbourne Australia, i sat down 2 row from the front right in front of stevies microphone and thought how could it get better. it certainly did, as soon as they came out we were aloud to stand in front of the stage. stevie was absolutely beautiful, captivating. the show rocked, they shook the house, it was the best night of my life, I could not take my eyes of stevie all night!. they have great charisma on stage and great humour, someone yelled "Stevie your an angel", she smiles and waved her hands as if to say "im no angel"
Caroline Webster
Having been a fan since I was 9 years old, and knowing all the turmoil and personnel changes the band had been through, I never imagined this day would arrive for me, at least not in Melbourne Australia. I bought the tickets in October last year, and the wait was worth it. What a brilliant show - this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff, and I feel really privileged to have been there. On hearing the opening riff of Rhiannon, the crowd went wild, and Lindsey held the audience in the palm of his hand with virtuosic playing, showmanship, and incredible dynamic range - there were times when you could hear a pin drop in the arena. I was so excited to hear Big Love - WOW! And Stevie, we love you - it was such a treasure to hear Landslide live. And Mick's solo segment was pure joy to experience. Thanks for the gift of allowing us to see and hear the living legend that you are - survivors, who I hope will rock 'til you drop. Please come back to Australia soon!
Shirley Wells
My dream came true and it will again when I see Fleetwood Mac in Sydney on the 4th of March. Stevie you look great and an inspiration to anyone to become what you have today. Keep on rockin. Stand back was sensational as well as all the other songs that were played that night. The energy- where do you get it from- I danced my socks off in the second front row and have very sore feet. Lindsay your passion ,- do not ever let it go. Hope I can get an autograph in Sydney to cherish. Photos that were taken will be treasured and framed. You are the best band of all time and one day my dream to meet you may come true.
Bridget
I saw Fleetwood Mac play in Anaheim last year and was totally blown away. Stevie was absolutely enchanting, Lyndsey dynamic (and slighlty mad), Mick excentric, and John, grooving in the back. The magic between them was electrifying. In fact, I was so impressed, that I promised myself that if they toured NZ or Australia, I would see them again - but this time from the front. So some friends and I flew from NZ to see the concert in Melbourne (and yes, from the front row) and it was even more amazing than before. A totally different experience to the last concert, but just as memorable - if not more so. And we just rocked! What can I say, it was unbelievable and the best thing I've done for ages! There is something special about the band now. Even though I'm one of the younger fans, they have definately made the most of all of their experiences and produced something the is undescribable - just magic. And the band is totally enjoying it, yet so gracious with in. During a break between songs, someone in the front yelled out "Stevie, you're an angel". She was heading to the back of the stage and kind of shook her head and smiled as if to say "no, I'm not". Of course, nobody is really an angel, but to us Stevie - you always will be.
Louise
Fleetwood Mac's 90th show on February 23rd in Melbourne was absolutely fantastic! I have never seen such a magnificent performance and probably never will see one better. The highlight for me was definitely Stevie Nick's performance of "Rhiannon". This woman has the most powerful, beautiful energy!!! This is definitely one of the most talented groups of our time, to have been around for so long and to still play such an energetic, vibrant show, I wish I could seeit again!
Inga Walton
I had an awful time at Rod Laver Arena for the "Behind The Mask" tour and was determined to redeem the experience, since it was the only time I have seen either Mac or Stevie. My friend Amanda was adamant she was seeing the show and came over from Adelaide, as no dates had been scheduled there at the time the other tickets went on sale. I had seats for the second row, but we were astonished to be told by the usher that we were free to go down the front to the stage, as that was what the band had requested. Usually at concerts in Melbourne you're forced by security to remain seated during the show at pain of being removed, and it's a total bore ! I've often wondered whether the artists are aware how the audience are often being intimidated by venue staff, or if they think people are all on valium here. Amanda and I had dressed in our finest dusky attire, which resulted in people staring at us oddly all night as we walked around. It's a shame not many Stevie fans made an effort in that department, and just as well we left out top-hats at home ! As soon as the lights dimmed we raced round the row and stayed at the stage-front all night, right by Stevie's microphone. I was surprised it was not too big a crush, there was room to dance, and many people on the floor still remained seated throughout the show. The sound mix was excellent, though I thought better use could have been made of the projection screen behind the stage. It showed the band only intermittently, which must have been frustrating for those in the stands. Australia has not seen Mac here since 1990 and Stevie solo since 1986, so we have largely missed out on the evolution of songs and set-lists (except those bootlegs circulated on video and audio over the years). I must admit to being apprehensive about how the show would evolve without Christine, and I was disappointed she didn't partake of this excursion. Having said that, they were all in top form, after waiting so long it seemed almost surreal to hear the bass notes of "The Chain" and realise they were really here again. I found I was quite teary at various points during the show, thinking how much of their music has informed my life, and that this is probably the last time they will ever tour here. Stevie was in strong voice; "Silver Springs" was a real highlight, "Gypsy" was just lovely, she really whipped up "Rhiannon". The inter-play between Stevie and Lindsey was warm and playful all night; at one point they had a mock-boxing match, several times he kissed her hand, and she came up behind him to drape her arms over his shoulders. Whatever issues they have had in the past, there seemed to be such a respect and tenderness present which was very moving. I think "Beautiful Child" is one of Stevie's most eloquent songs, and she certainly delivered it with full emotional force. Both "Dreams" and "Gold Dust Woman" were as iconic as ever, when you see Stevie perform them so close up you realise that the likes of Courtney Love and The Corrs may be infinitely respectful, but only ever pale imitations. Lindsey's renditions of "Never Going Back Again" and "Big Love" showed his performing prowess, it was brilliant to hear "Second Hand News" and "Tusk" still delivered with such relish. He went on what might best be called a few 'benders' throughout the night; thrashing around with the guitars, pitching them across the stage (at one point knocking over Stevie's microphone stand), pulling the leads out, and bashing one repeatedly onto Mick's cymbal. At one point Lindsey came right down to the front of the stage where we were, leaned out into the audience, and invited fans to play the guitar with him (I actually plucked at it while he was still playing). He was totally into his solos, sweat pouring off him, gesticulating, and completely hyped-up. Mick was as unpredictable as ever in his voracious drum solo, then prancing around with the touch-pads in his waistcoat, scatting incoherently, and yelling "Are you with me Melbourne ?" heavily down the microphone. "World Turning" sounded so amazing with Stevie's vocals prominent, John seemed as bemused as ever by the antics around him. When introducing the band, Mick joked that Stevie was in the way of where he was gesturing (to Neale, Carlos, and Brett at the left) saying, "Always a true blonde !" as she moved out of the way laughing. It was interesting to see the minutiae of the performance: Stevie in the shadows talking to Brett during the drum intro for "Stand Back", adjusting the receiver she was wearing in a little pouch at the front of her dress, changing outer costumes behind the keyboards, flicking the switches on the floor modules, getting the net underlay of her dress caught on the diamante strands attached to the microphone stand. During a lull at one point, a girl yelled out "Angel", and Stevie shook her head, the guy next to me chimed in, "You know the words !" "Landslide" became one big sing-along, and right before the end, one of the girls down the front came in too early and quite loudly on the chorus. Stevie stopped and smiled, saying, "You threw me there...but it was good". Unfortunately, Stevie did not tour the front of the stage at the end of the show to shake hands with fans, as she has in the past. One girl close to me could not contain her exuberance and got her partner to boost her up on the stage, where she ran towards a quite startled Stevie. She kissed her before being removed by security guards, and reappeared, quite triumphant, back down the front minutes later. Under the present world circumstances (which Mick pointedly mentioned before they left the stage for the night), perhaps it was not such a good idea, and may have put Stevie off her usual 'meet and greet'. 'Stand Back" was totally intense, "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop" had a resonance for me that will never be repeated, so familiar and yet so fierce in this context. The new CD has not received much attention here, so "Goodbye Baby" was perhaps not terribly familiar to many in the audience, but Stevie performed it with such emotion. I was struck by the amazing synergy on that stage, and I feel privileged to have seen Mac under such circumstances. I think they were very much aware how long it has been since they were last here, and they truly gave us a night to remember. Alas, as the saying goes, I do not think we will see their like again.
ANNA SMITH
Hi! I was at the ' FLEETWOOD MAC ' concert on Monday 23rd February at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, with my husband and 3 children aged 32, 29, and 24, we have been waiting for this concert for 14 years. We were just blown away, it was like being there on a one to one basis, with the band, I was just mesmerized, a week later I am still on a high, so is my husband and 3 children. It was the best concert that we have ever been to. 'FLEETWOOD MAC' just work together so well, it's a credit to them, getting their lives back together, and getting the band together again, there was certain parts of the concert that I actually got very emotional, just to see and hear them play together again, they have gotten over their differences, you could just see and feel that they love and respect each other it was fantastic to see this again. They all looked and sounded great, none of them have lost it, they have all still got what it takes. We were lucky enough to be standing beside the stage, we got a chance to touch Lindsay's guitar, this blew us away, but I haven't told you the best part yet, well I'm about to now. I WAS THE LADY THAT GOT UP ON STAGE AND KISSED STEVIE, OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE I CAN SAY THAT. I tried so hard to get back stage passes but I couldn't, I have admired Stevie for so many Years, Stevie inspires me in my singing, I have been singing for about 18 years, I turned 50 last year, at my party my sons and I did a full set of ' FLEETWOOD MAC ' songs, my sons play guitar and a friend played drums So I thought to myself I probably will never be this close to Stevie again, so I just climbed up and kissed her, it was fantastic. The only thing I regret is that, I think Stevie got a fright when she saw me on the stage, so for this I am truly sorry, the last thing that I wanted to was to frighten Stevie, but I know she was not angry because she saw me standing near the stage and she blew me a kiss, so that made me feel much better. So if anyone who might read this can you tell Stevie that I love her and would never hurt her 'FLEETWOOD MAC ' are legends. So ' FLEETWOOD MAC ' Don't stop playing! and ' SAY YOU WILL' COME BACK TO AUSTRALIA WE ALL LOVE YOU ROCK ON ' FLEETWOOD MAC ' THANKS FOR READING MY LETTER.
David Ward
14years I HAD WAITED FOR THIS NIGHT.THREE GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND THE MUSIC OF YESTERDAY WAS STILL AS FRESH AS TODAY.IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE ENTHUSIASM THAT THESE GUYS STILL DISPLAY.LINDSAY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIUTAR PLAYERS OF ALL TIME,MICK BOY CAN HE STILL BEAT THOSE DRUMS AND STEVIE EVEN STILL CAN MESMERIZE HER AUDIENCE.JOHN IS QUITE HAPPY TO STAY BACK AND PLAY THE MUSIC WITHOUT MUCH FAN FARE. THE SELECTION OF SONGS WAS GREAT.INCREDIBLE THAT SONGS THAT OF NEARLY 30years STILL HOLD IT WITH TODAYS NEW SONGS BUT THIS IS WHY THIS BAND IS A LIVING CLASSIC. 2 1\2 HOURS THE SHOW WENT FOR AND THIS WAS WITHOUT CHRISTINE MCVIE PERFORMING ANY OF HER SONGS. PERTH,ADELAIDE,SYDNEY AND THE USA COUNT DOWN THE DAYS FOR ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS IN ENTERTAINMENT. AND TO FLEETWOOD MAC,PLEASE DON'T STOP!!
Christie Gill
Brilliant!!! Absolutely brilliant! I am eternally grateful that FM have toured, and i saw them on Mon 23 feb 2004 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Australia. A fantastic assortment of songs, everything from old to new, but nothing leaning towards one or the other. There was something for everyone during the 2 and a half hour show, kicking off with The Chain in a way only the Mac could do. Shivers ran up my spine as Stevie and the guys came out, and i was completely enthralled as they played Landslide, Tusk, Peacekeeper, Standback, Beautiful child and heaps in between. The magic of being there was more than can be described, as anyone who has attended and truly loves the band will know. Slightly older, but still as fantastic as the very first day!!! Something i will never, ever forget. Dont deny yourself this chance to see them whilst you can.
Suzie Szabo
I had my reservations about my favorite band being able to pull it off in a big way without Christine McVie. Wow was I proven wrong, each one of them showed us their most brilliant stuff and together they performed better than the legendary band that they are. I have been a fan since I was 12 years old.... I don't think I will ever STOP loving them. I would like to say to Fleetwood Mac DON'T STOP keep going till you can't go anymore The World Loves you all. AWESOME AWESOME SHOW...... THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN TO OZ PLEASE COME BACK DOWN UNDER AGAIN.

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